During term 3 students from the Vex Club were given a challenge by SA Power Networks. The challenge was to build a robot that can make its way along a SWER Line so that SA Power Networks can inspect the line for faults or damaged areas. The tricky part of this is that the robot must be able to not only make its way along a wire, but also make its way around/over a Stobie pole to continue inspecting the SWER Line all the way along its length. 

The students have worked through a range of different prototypes, incorporating different constraints such as weight, balance, gears, and structural integrity. The final robot was successful in traveling along a SWER line continuously. When competing with other schools at the Adelaide Convention Centre on the 5th of November our robot impressed judges as the design was significantly different from the other schools. Unfortunately, an award was not given however students are eager to apply this knowledge in future Vex Competitions. Spot the SA Power Networks robotic dog also made an appearance.

Matt Gove - Technology Teacher